For further information on how we can help you organize your trip to the area, please see our travel website: travel.marojejy.com

August 2009 Update: After a brief period of unrest earlier this year, Marojejy is now completely safe and has re-opened for visitation. Your visit and your support are especially important to the park and the local villagers now. We hope to see you in Marojey soon!

We invite you to spend some time in and
around Marojejy. The entire area is easily accessed from Sambava, which
has good air service from Antananarivo, Antsiranana (Diégo-Suarez),
Toamasina (Tamatave), and Maroantsetra. An excellent paved road with beautiful
scenic views winds for approximately 100 km (60 miles) up the Lokoho River
valley from Sambava to Andapa. Taxi traffic between the two towns is frequent
(about a four-hour trip).

The park is open year-round, but the best
times to visit are from April to May and September to December, when it
is less rainy. Information, entry tickets, and guides and porters can
all be obtained at the park visitor center located in the village of Manantenina
(60 km from Sambava along the Sambava–Andapa road), or at the Marojejy
National Park office in Andapa.

We currently operate three tented camps
and several campgrounds within the park. We also offer treks of varying
lengths in the park along a trail that leads from the village of Manantenina
into the rainforests and eventually up to the summit of Marojejy itself
(elevation 2132 m [6995 ft]).

Bungalows at Camp Mantella

The Mantella Trek takes
you to Camp Mantella, about a four-hour hike from Manantenina. Camp Mantella
(elevation 450 m [1475 ft]) has six cabins furnished with beds, mattresses,
and bedding. It also has a large sheltered eating area with an assortment
of cooking utensils. A campground is located nearby for those who prefer
to pitch a tent. This area of lowland rainforest is a good place to see
several species of lemurs, many birds (including the helmet vanga) and
many species of amphibians and reptiles. The beautiful Cascade de Humbert
waterfall is a short walk (800 m) from the camp. For best wildlife viewing,
we recommend at least two days for this trek.

Bungalows at Camp Marojejia

The Simpona Trek is a continuation
of the Mantella Trek, leading from Camp Mantella up to Camp Marojejia
(about a two hour hike). Camp Marojejia is located at the transition between
lowland and montane rainforest (elevation 775 m [2540 ft]), and is perched
on a hillside with stupendous views overlooking sheer granite outcrops
and lush vegetation. The camp consists of a sheltered eating area and
four cabins furnished with beds, mattresses, and bedding. The name of
this trek comes from the Malagasy name for the Silky Sifaka, a beautiful
white lemur which is found only in this area. To increase your chances of spotting this elusive animal, we recommend hiring a "Simpona Specialist" in addition to your guide. Plan on spending at least three days in the park for this trek.

Eating shelter at Camp Simpona

The Marojejy Summit Trek
continues beyond Camp Marojejia to Camp Simpona (elevation 1250 m [4100
ft]), which is then used as a basecamp for the final hike to the peak
itself. Camp Simpona consists of a sheltered eating area and two cabins.
Trekking to the summit of Marojejy is a real wilderness experience —
one of the most beautiful and wild walks you will likely ever take. High
in the moorlands above the cloud-forests, the views from the summit are
truly spectacular. We recommend allotting at least 4–5 days for
this rugged and difficult trek.

When hiking in the park (no matter what
the time of year), wet-weather garments and waterproof bags for holding
clothes in backpacks are essential, as are comfortable hiking shoes. A
tent and sleeping bag are not necessary if you chose to stay in any of
the tented camps in the park. Excellent clear water is found throughout
the park, so there is no need to carry bottled water; however, we recommend using a filter and/or purification tablets as a precautionary measure. Mosquito repellent will
keep the mosquitoes at bay, and long pants tucked in socks will help to
repel leeches. Other than scorpions, there are no dangerous animals in Marojejy.

Around the Area

Marojejy can easily be combined with visits
to other nearby areas. Anjanaharibe-Sud
Special Reserve lies just to the southwest of Marojejy and offers
spectacular pristine rainforest and wildlife. A little farther south is
the large and very wild Masoala
National Park. Parts of Masoala can be accessed from the town of
Antalaha, just south of Sambava, and flights link Sambava and Antalaha
with Maroantsetra, where boats can be arranged to both Masoala National
Park and Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve. Multi-day treks are also possible
for the fit and adventurous traveler through the remote and beautiful
country between Antalaha or Andapa and Maroantsetra. Several small private
reserves in the area are well worth a visit, including Antanetiambo,
near Andapa, and La
Colline de Vinany, in Antalaha.